Side-by-side comparison

Plano vs Chicago

Cost of living comparison for Plano, Texas and Chicago, Illinois.

Bottom line

Plano is approximately 2% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,765/mo in Plano versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Plano vs Chicago

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Plano · Studio

$1,531

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Plano is $73 (5%) higher than Chicago

Plano · 1 bedroom

$1,606

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Plano is $46 (3%) higher than Chicago

Plano · 2 bedroom

$1,884

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Plano is $123 (7%) higher than Chicago

Plano · 3 bedroom

$2,361

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Plano is $99 (4%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Plano vs Chicago

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Plano · Household income

$117,588

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Plano is $35,791 (44%) higher than Chicago

Plano · Individual earnings

$61,438

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Plano is $12,140 (25%) higher than Chicago

Plano · Per capita

$55,057

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Plano is $7,256 (15%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Plano vs Chicago

Average values and property tax.

Plano · Average home value

$447,600

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Plano is $142,400 (47%) higher than Chicago

Plano · Annual property tax

$7,432

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Plano is $1,379 (23%) higher than Chicago

Energy in Plano vs Chicago

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Plano · Monthly electricity

$167

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Plano is $51 (44%) higher than Chicago

Plano · Monthly gas

$32

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Chicago is $29 (91%) higher than Plano

Plano · Annual total

$2,388

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Plano is $264 (12%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Plano vs Chicago

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Plano · Individual premium

$480

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Plano and Chicago are about the same

Plano · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Plano and Chicago are about the same

Plano · Uninsured rate

9.9%

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Plano is 0.9% (10%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Plano vs Chicago

State income and sales tax.

Plano · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than Plano

Plano · State sales tax

6.3%

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Plano and Chicago are about the same

Plano · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Chicago is 0.6% (8%) higher than Plano

Transportation in Plano vs Chicago

Commute time and travel modes.

Plano · Average commute

28.1 min

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Chicago is 3.8 min (14%) higher than Plano

Plano · Drive alone

64.7%

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Plano is 8.5% (15%) higher than Chicago

Plano · Public transit

0.6%

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Chicago is 12.4% (2067%) higher than Plano

Monthly cost estimates in Plano vs Chicago

All categories combined.

Plano · Single person

$3,765

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Plano is $58 (2%) higher than Chicago

Plano · Couple

$5,550

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Plano is $385 (7%) higher than Chicago

Plano · Family

$8,169

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Plano is $358 (5%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Plano and Chicago.

Is Plano or Chicago more expensive?

Plano is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,765/mo in Plano, Texas and $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois, a difference of about 2%.

What is the rent difference between Plano and Chicago?

Average one-bedroom rent in Plano, Texas is $1,606/mo versus $1,560/mo in Chicago, Illinois. Plano is approximately $46 (3%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Plano or Chicago?

Plano has the higher average household income. Plano households earn approximately $117,588 per year; Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year.

More on Plano and Chicago

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Plano profile Chicago profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.